Xenical

Xenical

Xenical

What is Xenical?

Xenical capsules contain the active ingredient orlistat, which is a type of medicine called a lipase inhibitor. It is used to aid weight loss in people who are obese.

Xenical (Orlistat) is not absorbed into the bloodstream, but works locally in the stomach and small intestine, where it prevents the action of two compounds found in the digestive juices. These compounds (known as enzymes) are called gastric and pancreatic lipases. They normally break down fats that we consume in our diet.

The fats we consume in our diets are made of molecules that are too large to be absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream. They need to be broken down into smaller molecules during the process of digestion, in order to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Gastric and pancreatic lipases are the compounds in the gut that carry out this function.

How Xenical works

Xenical works by preventing gastric and pancreatic lipases from working. It is taken at mealtimes to prevent fat that is eaten in the meals from being broken down and absorbed by the body. This means the body cannot use the fat as a source of energy, or convert it into fat tissue. Instead, the fat is excreted in the faeces. This helps weight loss.